Fever With Chills and — Rigors
Violent, uncontrollable shaking alongside fever on chemotherapy is not an ordinary chill. Rigors point to bacteria in the bloodstream. Go to hospital now — do not wait until morning.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh Gundu, Medical Oncologist, MBBS (Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar) · DNB Internal Medicine (Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi) · DM Medical Oncology (AIIMS) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Rigors are not ordinary chills — Violent shaking you cannot control means your body may be responding to bacteria entering the blood, not just a drop in temperature.
- More urgent than fever alone — Rigors alongside fever suggest a bloodstream infection — the most serious kind of neutropenic emergency.
- Chemotherapy lowers your defences — Your white blood cell count is reduced, so an infection that would be manageable otherwise can escalate within hours.
- Go now, not in the morning — Emergency departments are open. This is exactly the situation they are trained for.
on Panel
Survival Rate*
Treated
(800+ reviews)
Violent shaking chills — called rigors — during chemotherapy mean your body may be responding to bacteria in the bloodstream. This is more urgent than fever without rigors. NCCN and ASCO guidance treats rigors in chemotherapy patients as a medical emergency. Go to hospital now. Do not wait until morning.
If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. Each centre also names the areas it serves, so you can place it without a map. Consultation and day-care Chemotherapy run at every one of them.
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?
Call the helpline. It is always better to check than to wait.
How do you tell rigors from ordinary chills?
| What you notice | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mild coldness, wanting a blanket, goosebumps | Normal body temperature fluctuation | Monitor closely — call your team if it continues or you develop a fever |
| Shaking you can mostly control, no fever | Possible early sign of infection | Call your oncology team the same day — do not wait overnight |
| Violent, uncontrollable shaking — teeth chattering, whole body shaking, waves of cold then sweating | Possible bloodstream infection (rigors) | Go to hospital now — this is a medical emergency |
| Any chills alongside a measured fever | Neutropenic fever — medical emergency | Go to hospital now regardless of how mild the chills seem |
| Typically starts | Any time during chemotherapy, but risk is highest in the days following each cycle when blood counts are at their lowest | Rigors need emergency care at any point — the timing does not change the urgency |
What should you do right now?
- Go to the emergency department now — do not wait until morning or for a scheduled appointment.
- Tell the triage nurse the moment you arrive: 'I am on chemotherapy and I have a fever with rigors.'
- Bring your chemotherapy card or treatment summary — it tells the team exactly what you are receiving.
- Bring your medicines list, including supplements and any traditional remedies you are taking.
- Do not take anything to lower your temperature before you go — the doctors need to know your real reading.
- If you cannot get there safely alone, call for emergency transport rather than driving yourself.
- Call your oncology team's helpline on the way if you can, so they know you are coming.
Explore 69 more Blood Counts, Infection, Fever & Emergencies topics
Fever During Chemotherapy
- A Printable Fever Action Plan
- Can You Wait Until Morning With a Fever?
- Fever After the Course Has Finished
- Fever During Chemotherapy: What to Do Right Now
- Fever When You Cannot Reach Your Team
- Fever With Chills and Rigors
- Fever With No Other Symptoms
- Fever in a Child on Chemotherapy
- How Long Will You Be Admitted for a Fever?
- Is 99, 100 or 101 Degrees an Emergency?
- Preventing Infection to Avoid Fever Episodes
- What to Carry to Hospital With a Fever
- What to Tell the Hospital When You Call
- Why Fever Is Treated as an Emergency
Blood Transfusion & Donor Arrangement
Emergencies & Red Flags
- A Printable Emergency Action Card
- Bleeding That Will Not Stop
- Breathlessness: When It Is an Emergency
- Chemotherapy Emergencies: The Complete Red-Flag List
- Chest Pain During Chemotherapy
- Confusion, Drowsiness or Fits
- Emergency Contacts: Who to Call and When
- Fever: The Number One Emergency
- Going to a Different Hospital in an Emergency
- Leg Swelling and Calf Pain
- Not Passing Urine or Passing Very Little
- Problems With Your Port or Line
- Severe Mouth Pain Stopping Fluids
- Severe Pain That Is Not Controlled
- Swelling of the Face, Lips or Throat
- Uncontrolled Vomiting or Diarrhoea
- What to Keep Ready at Home for an Emergency
- When to Call the Helpline vs Go Straight In
HUB — Low Blood Counts, Infection and Fever During Chemotherapy
Infection Prevention at Home
Low Platelets & Bleeding
- A Printable Bleeding Red-Flag Card
- Arranging Platelet Donors
- Bleeding Gums and Nosebleeds
- Bruising Easily During Chemotherapy
- Dental Work and Procedures With Low Platelets
- Everyday Precautions With Low Platelets
- Foods That Are Said to Raise Platelets
- Low Platelets During Chemotherapy
- Painkillers to Avoid When Platelets Are Low
- Platelet Transfusion: What to Expect
- What Platelet Count Is Dangerous?
Low White Cells, Neutropenia & Infection
- A Printable Neutropenia Safety Card
- Avoiding Infection During the Low-Count Days
- Bone Pain After Growth Factor Injections
- Can You Go Out When Your Counts Are Low?
- Foods That Are Said to Raise White Cells
- Getting to Hospital Fast From a District
- Growth Factor Injections to Raise Your Counts
- How to Take and Record a Temperature Properly
- Low White Cell Count During Chemotherapy
- Neutropenia in Children on Chemotherapy
- Neutropenic Fever: A Medical Emergency
- Preventive Antibiotics During Chemotherapy
- Recovering Counts Between Cycles
- Should You Take Paracetamol for a Fever?
- Signs of Infection to Watch For
- Understanding Your Blood Count Report
- Visitors When Your Counts Are Low
- What Happens When You Go In With Neutropenic Fever?
- What Is Neutropenia?
- What Is an Absolute Neutrophil Count?
- What Temperature Means You Must Go to Hospital?
- Which Days Are You Most at Risk of Infection?
Vaccination During & After Chemotherapy
Still not sure what applies to you?
Send your reports across and a senior medical oncologist will go through what they mean, what is known, and what the options actually are.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ordinary chills and rigors?
Rigors are violent, uncontrollable shaking you cannot stop — teeth chattering, whole body shaking, often in waves of feeling suddenly very cold and then very hot. Ordinary chills are mild and ease with a blanket. If you are unsure which this is, treat it as rigors and go to hospital. On chemotherapy, the safe choice is always to go.
Are rigors more dangerous than fever alone during chemotherapy?
Yes. Rigors specifically suggest bacteria may have entered the bloodstream — a condition called sepsis — which is more serious than an infection limited to a single site. NCCN and ASCO guidance flags rigors in chemotherapy patients as high urgency. Go immediately rather than waiting for the clinic to open.
Can I wait until morning if it is the middle of the night?
No. Bloodstream infection in someone on chemotherapy can become life-threatening in hours. The emergency department is open now and is trained for exactly this situation. Go now.
Will the emergency team know what to do if I am on chemotherapy?
Yes, but tell them the moment you arrive: 'I am on chemotherapy and I have a fever with rigors.' Those words trigger an urgent response. Bring your chemotherapy card if you have it — but do not delay if you feel very unwell. Your safety comes before finding the card.
Chemotherapy Topics
Browse our complete chemotherapy guide — 1133 pages on side effects, medicines, cost, daily life and care in Hyderabad. Tap any topic to read more.